COLUMBUS -- Ohio State will go up against a powerful running game this Saturday against Wisconsin.

What better time for the return of linebacker Etienne Sabino?

Coach Urban Meyer said he fifth-year linebacker will make his return on Saturday against the Badgers. Sabino has been out of action since sustaining a broken fibula during Ohio State's 63-38 win over Nebraska on Oct. 6.

"I can't tell you what percent he's at," Meyer said on Monday, "but he's in the starting lineup for the game."

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The OSU depth chart released Monday has Storm Klein and Zach Boren listed as co-starters at middle linebacker. Ryan Shazier and Joshua Perry are listed as the starters on the outside.

But Meyer said Sabino will play.

"He's one of our key guys at linebacker," defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins said. "It's good to have him back. I think he'll be at full force and be ready."

In his six games of action, Sabino (6-foot-3, 237 pounds) had 37 tackles and a pair of sacks.

Boren said the linebackers has "a great week of practice" on the bye week, with Sabino back on the field, and that both his and Shazier's play was "elevated because of what Sabino brings to the table."

With Sabino's news the headliner, Meyer said the news on the injury front has been "pretty positive."

o Center Corey Linsley "is still banged up," Meyer said, but Meyer hopes he is back to full speed by Wednesday. Linsley practiced on Monday.

o Defensive back Orhian Johnson was injured in the Illinois game but "is good to go."

o Freshman defensive back Armani Reeves (ankle) will be back on special teams this weekend. "Very valuable player," Meyer said.

o The news isn't as good with running back Bri'onte Dunn. He has a non-surgical sprain of the MCL in his knee. Meyer said he hopes to get Dunn back for the Michigan game, but, "that will be questionable."

Passing grade... kinda

Ohio State is averaging 39.9 points and 445 yards per game. But when it comes to home run-hitting plays, Meyer gives his team a passing grade.

But not by much.

"I would still grade us a C to C-minus on the ability to pull through plays," Meyer said.

Meyer singled out quarterback Braxton Miller (291.9 yards of total offense per game) and noted the improvement of running back Carlos Hyde (737 yards rushing this season). He said Jordan Hall (out with an injury) was someone who could make defenders miss, but the list ended there.

"I still would grade us not very good," Meyer said. "I mean, Ohio State, we should be better than we are. But his development, Philly (Brown), but we should have four guys like that. We should have four players that can take a curl, make a guy miss and accelerate away from people. We don't have that right now."

Preparation time

Ohio State isn't just working on a game plan for the Wisconsin Badgers. A few players are also working on a game plan for the period of time between the third and fourth quarters.

That's when Camp Randall Stadium shakes with the playing of House of Pain's "Jump Around." Fans in the stadium celebrate wildly when the song is played prior to the fourth quarter, and visiting players are known to spend some time enjoying the music, too.

Brown said he and reserve quarterback Kenny Guiton are already preparing for it.

"Me and Kenny G got a little dance segment we're going do to during that period," Brown said with a smile. "We practiced and rehearsed it. Hopefully Kenny goes through with the steps and we execute it well."